Don’t Pay to Pay Your Taxes: Use One of These 8 Free Filing Sites Instead

April 18 looms on my calendar. No matter how organized I am or how early I prepare, tax day always gets my stomach’s butterflies fluttering.

But the days of sitting in an uncomfortable, overheated office to wait for a pro to pluck away at your tax return are over.

Thanks to the power of technology, electronic tax return filing is as routine as checking your sports scores or your bank account online. With a few clicks, you can get the agony of filing your annual tax return over and done with — and get on with life.

Wondering where to start? Overwhelmed by promises shouted on TV commercials?

Don’t dive in — or pay up — until you read these options for filing your taxes for free.

If you live in a state that collects income tax, you may have to pay a nominal fee to file through the services below. If you don’t have to file a state tax return, chances are good you can spend precisely zero dollars to e-file.

Take a look below to see which free (or nearly free) filing option is best for you.

Some state returns are available for free through these companies, so check for your state before choosing one to use to file your federal return.

If you make more than $62,000 per year, you can e-file your taxes for free directly through the IRS. While the tool provides basic calculations, it doesn’t hold your hand through the process like the IRS’s partnerships at the lower income level.

3. TurboTax Federal Free Edition

In previous years, I’ve filed my federal taxes through TurboTax for free, then ponied up $30 or so to prepare my state returns. This year, federal and state tax preparation is free via TurboTax’s 1040EZ/A Absolute Zero guarantee.

If you make less than $100,000, don’t own a home or business and didn’t deal with investments or major medical expenses, this is a great option for you.

But watch out — you won’t be able to prepare and file for free if you need to report any 1099 earnings.

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